Amu Nowruz and His Violets

THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATED BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!!! 😭😭💗💗💗💗💗 Also the story is just so heartwarming 🥺🥹🫶✨ If you are seeing this trust me and read it! You won’t regret!!

Beautiful story. Gorgeous illustration.

This Iranian folktale, that tells the story of the changing of the seasons, will captivate and delight all readers – young and old. The descriptions and illustrations ignite the imagination. The simple story of Naneh Sarma and Amu Nowruz is both poignant and sweet.

This wonderful book belongs on the shelf alongside such classics as Strega Nona, Anansi the Spider, and Tikki Tikki Tembo. Just like them, it is a story to be read - and shared - time and time again.

Thank you, Netgalley and Archipelago, for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

The Persian new year kicks off not on Jan. 1 but at the spring equinox. Author Hadi Mohammadi has penned a lovely version of an ancient folk tale. Naneh Sarma presides over winter, coating everything in snow and ice, only to be succeeded by Amu Nowruz, who presides over spring, sowing seeds from his knapsack. She longs to catch a glimpse of Amu, and she does: Once a year, they are able to be together at the spring equinox, when Amu gives Naneh a handful of violets, a gift of flowers while it’s still winter.

Yes, yes, the story is a delight. But Nooshin Safakhoo’s quirky, ethereal illustrations were what really made this picture book for me.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Archipelago and Elsewhere Editions in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this book is a treasure! It's full of gorgeous illustrations and beautiful prose. It's a sweet story I think all children (and adults) will love.

I really liked this book, and I had a lot of fun reading it! I thought that it was really interesting how this story was like a fairy tale, but a lot different from the ones I've heard about. I like how the author decided to make this traditional fairy tale and make it into a kids' book, so that even more kids can experience the wonder of this beautiful story. I also think that this will make a perfect bedtime story because of the dreamy tone the whole book has, but also because of the smooth, calming, and soft drawings. It's not often that you see kids' books illustrated like this, but I think that this style worked really well for this story. Lastly, it was such a smart idea on the author's part to include a short summary of the tale at the beginning and then transform that into a complete story that kids will love to read. I know that there will also be many kids that will beg to read this book over and over, night after night.
Bravo!

My two grandchildren and I enjoyed our swing through this book in one of our morning reading sessions. We were enchanted by the Persian / Iranian legend about Amu Nowruz (Uncle New Year) and his charming pass-by with Naneh Sarma (Mother Frost) every year. They pine for each other, but just miss each other, proverbial ships in the night. . .but Amu Nowruz leaves a sweet message for Naneh Sarma every year. . .

The illustrations are dear and poignant, and both text and artwork kept all three of us engaged and happily satisfied, even though the tale demonstrates the eternal cycle will never. . .can never. . . conclude the way for which our darling seasonal harbingers hope.

A perfect read for end of winter, beginning of spring. . .especially if violets are part of your bloomworld.

*A sincere thank you to Hadi Mohammadi, Archipelago, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

A charming tale of the Persian New Year. Reading this book during the crossover from winter to spring will instill children with a whole new appreciation of the magical grandeur of the seasons.

Beautiful art and a classic folktale.

So cool! I loved learning about this folktale, and the illustrations were interesting and unique. Very enjoyable.

Truly beautiful illustrations are what really make this book shine. They are a little unusual in style, but that makes them all the more endearing to look at. They really seem to embody winter and spring.
The story itself is sweet but a little melancholy. But I enjoyed reading a pared down version of this Persian story. I did feel like something was missing, but it's possible that this is because of the translation into English, and maybe it lost a little nuance or something of they more poetic feel to the writing. But it's still a wonderful, beautiful book and well worth a read!